Bestival 2015: The festival's must see acts

Summer is reaching it's demise, school, college or University beckon for many, and the greatest season of them all - Festival Season - is coming to an end.

But fortunately - for the lucky few who have decided to make the lengthy treck to the Isle of Wight - there is still one major festival left to enjoy.

So, if you are heading to Bestival 2015 this weekend, here are It's All Indie's Top 5 must see acts.

1. Sleaford Mods: The Big Top, Saturday, 9pm

Although the anti-establishment growl of their twitchy mouth-piece has, at times, racked-up more column-inches over the last year than their musical output, Nottingham-duo, Sleaford Mods are the most lyrically sincere and genuinely exciting bands to challenge Torrie-Britain and the status-quo since The Sex Pistols. 

Driven by angst, but backed by a juxtaposing minamilistic stage set-up of a mere laptop-come-beat-machine, accompanied by a beer-wielding counterpart, Sleaford Mods are a formidable festival force, who's live set is surprisingly, yet utterly entertaining - and every concoction of words that Jason Williamson spits at you, will be the truest you'll hear all weekend. 

And with fellow punk-duo/Radio 1 golden boys, Slaves, appearing on the same stage just prior to them, expect to be treated to a list of comedic expletives fired at their Big Top predecessors as soon as Williamson grabs the mic. 

2. Animal Noise: Caravanserai, Friday 12.40am 

They may have been in the game for a few years now, but Colchester's swampy-funk sweethearts, Animal Noise - in the wake of signing to Sony Europe and being playlisted on Radio 1 - are finally starting to reach out to the audiences and obtain the acclaim that their left-field acoustic-folk stomp warrants. They may be new to the prestigious festival circuit and many of the ears that will hear them this weekend, but the spark that they'll ignite amongst the abundance of arm-yielding festival-goers upon finding their scatty rhythm, will leave you declaring them your new favourite band. 

3. Charli XCX: Main Stage, Friday 6.15pm

Having somewhat lived in the shadows of the megastars that she's been writing hits for over the past couple of years, the past 12 months has finally seen Charli XCX blossom into the sultry and commanding popstar that her infectious song writing ability would have you suggest. And after a series of high-profile and critically acclaimed festival slots to her name already this year, expect her Bestival set to be the best possible way to wave goodbye to her and your festival season.

4. Tame Impala: The Big Top, Friday 11.30pm

Despite playing the festival's graveyard shift, Kevin Parker's acid-draped gang of psych-mind-manipulators will prove a hit with all those tripping at the sight of the bands kaleidoscope on-screen visuals - entirely soundtracked by the swirling, time-travelling phaser-draped perfection of their new album, 'Currents'. 

5. The Bohicas: Invaders of the Future, Saturday 11pm

With little in the way of gritty, straight-up guitar bands at this years Bestival, Domino's latest exports, The Bohicas will be looking to turn heads and capitalise on the indie-loving festival-goers, yearning for a piece of 2006. Who knows, it might just be their crowning moment - and it might just be the incarnation indie's next leather jacket-heroes. 

WORDS: GEORGE HENRY KING

Jamie T returns with new track, 'Don't You Find'

When it comes to the art of vanishing off the face of the earth and leaving people to conclude that the only possible outcome for your disappearance, is that you've been consumed by the Bermuda Triangle, there are only three people that have ever really nailed it - Houdini, Bin Laden and South-London musician, Jamie T.

The latter of three, a Wimbledon born, singer-songwriter who was once branded the 'one man Arctic Monkey', produced two of the finest albums in the history of British music. Albums that soundtracked every night of underage drinking, every one night stand, every punch up with the police, every moment of regret and every glorious calamity that makes Great Britain so great. 

But sadly, just like the thrill of downing your first pint at the age of 14 in a garage full of Nuts magazines, empty beer cans and your best mates, Jamie T disappeared close to five years ago. 

However, just when everyone had all but given up hope on the possibility of rekindling the very memories that were made to the sound of his songs, Jamie T defied the odds and did what no one thought he would do - return. And his brand new track, entitled 'Don't You Find' will premiere as Zane Lowe's 'Hottest Record' tonight on Radio 1 at 7pm.

As we get older, I believe we look to nostalgia for happiness more than we look to anything else -but the revival of Jamie T might just mean we no longer have to long for the chaotic, fun, scary, dangerous, unpredictable, exciting and exhilarating times we had when we was younger - because his return will act as a gateway to reliving them. 

By George Henry King

www.georgehenryking.com

www.twitter.com/georghenryking

Alex Turner hints at further plans with Miles Kane - but will it be as The Last Shadow Puppets?

Arctic Monkeys frontman Alex Turner, has once again teased fans by hinting at a new collaborative project with long term musical acquaintance, and mod man of the moment, Miles Kane - the very man he teamed up with for the pairs side-project, The Last Shadow Puppets. 

Despite the same, almost scripted answers both musicians often give to interviewers when asked about a follow up to 2008's debut album 'The Age of the Understatement' (the answers usually consist of something like, 'yeah I'm sure we will ride again'), it seems Alex Turner is now contemplating an entirely new project with his old friend: "It's definitely something that's on the cards in the future. Or something else – it doesn't have to be the Shadow Puppets" he said. 

Will we ever get a second TSLP album?

In true Turner fashion, and after just under five years of doing so, he was still reluctant to admit any of these plans and ideas were set in stone - and fans may have to wait until Miles Kanes' current success disintegrates before a new Turner/Kane album is even fully considered: ''It's something we'd both love to do at some point but I don't know what that point is' he adds. 'I certainly don't think it's tomorrow. Miles is doing his thing and that's going great. It's like he's become whole. Although he always was a superstar, wasn't he?"

Prior to this, Alex Turner earlier this week also spoke about plans for a follow-up to the bands most recent chart topping album 'AM', and admitted that he can certainly see him and his band mates 'walking into another one'. Read more on that HERE.

George Henry King

www.twitter.com/georgehenryking

James Blake beats off stiff opposition to win Barclaycard Mercury Prize

James Blake was moments ago crowned this years winner of the 2013 Barclaycard Mercury Prize - beating off extremely tough opposition from the likes of Arctic Monkeys, David Bowie, Foals and more. 

After an evening that took place at The Roundhouse in London and saw performances from majority of the shortlisted acts, excluding Laura Marling and David Bowie, it was the twenty five year old singer-songwriter who took home the prestigious prize for his second album, 'Overgrown' - as well as £20,000 in prize money.

Speaking after his win, Blake gave a very short speech where he predominantly thanked his parents and then forgot to take his award with him after initially walking off - only to quickly retrace his steps to ensure he didn't leave it behind. 

James Blake - this years Mercury Prize winner with his album, 'Overgrown'

The win came as somewhat as a shock for some as going into tonight's award ceremony it was Disclosure with their debut album 'Settle' that was the bookmakers favourite to win the award.

If you missed any of tonight's 'More4' coverage - you will be able to see the full show which will include all of the performances, on Channel 4 tomorrow evening at 10pm. 

Do you think the right artist won? If not, who do you think really deserved the award? Let us know. 

The full short list was as followed:

Arctic Monkeys – AM
David Bowie – Next Day
Disclosure – Settle
Foals – Holy Fire
Jake Bugg – Jake Bugg
James Blake – Overgrown
Jon Hopkins – Immunity
Laura Marling – Once I Was An Eagle
Laura Mvula – Sing To The Moon
Rudimental – Home
Savages – Silence Yourself
Villagers – Awayland

George Henry King

www.twitter.com/georgehenryking